Vancouver’s 8th annual VIBF starts tonight! Thursday May 2, 2013 at the Rio Theatre, production night. Doors at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m. The Rio Theatre is located at 1660 E Broadway Vancouver, BC

The Wet Spots

Production night – The Wet Spots, (Cass King and John Woods) Internationally acclaimed cabaret duo, will host the VIBF’s production night this year, at the Rio Theatre. Expect a lot of dirty talk and camp sex songs to warm the mood.

The Rio Theatre is proud to host three productions this year which include – Rock and Roll Burlesque: Motown, produced by Blue Morris with curator/choreographer Ruthe Ordare. Ruthe will also perform in the second production of Gypsy Rose Lee at Minsky’s Burlesque by Burgundy Brixx. The evening will conclude with the burlesque troupe VanDolls, performing Paint and Pasties an artistic production number.

Blue Morris - Rock and Roll Burlesque

Rock and Roll Burlesque: Motown.Will feature LIVE music with Vancouver guitarist and elected VIBFA president, Blue Morris. Rock and Roll burlesque shows can be attended monthly at the Electric Owl.

Vancity Buzz sits down to talk with Blue Morris at the peak of VIBF’s busiest week of the year. Catching him between meetings, guitar lessons and evening events, this is one Vancouverite that does not miss a beat.

What is new and exciting about VIBF this year?

“We are honoured to have Catherine D’Lish join VIBF this year, someone of her caliber performing at the VIBF is a huge deal, we are so happy she is performing!”

How long have you been involved with the burlesque community?

“It must be seven years now; back then no one was doing live music with burlesque and that is really part of the roots of burlesque – live music! It is great that more shows have live music included and it is developing more each year.”

Are there any misconceptions about burlesque?

“It is not just a movie Cher was in…” he said with a chuckle, “it is so much more!”

What is next for burlesque in Vancouver?

“We haven’t even scratched the surface in Vancouver yet. We have up to three burlesque shows a week in Vancouver and many talented artists and musicians. We need more venues that have live music functionality, people that can produce the shows and have the right equipment.”

Vancity Buzz chats with the delightful Burgundy Brixx about burlesque and the 8th annual VIBF.

We have heard that you are a master of costumes, can you tell us about some of your favourite costumes?

“I use principals of magic when I’m creating a new costume, and whether they be simple like my constantly transforming “Brixx House” costume or more elaborate like the boa that turns into a robe at the end of my “POW” number. It’s really important to me to infuse my burlesque with both artful striptease and innovative magical elements. My new SUN number has several magical elements, and so far it’s my favorite piece to perform. That’s what I’ll be presenting this Saturday at the Vogue Theatre and next month in the Queen of Burlesque competition, at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.”

You are a mentor for performer August Wiled, who will be performing for VIBF for the first time, what advice can you give her from all your experience?

“Never apologize for your art.”

Did you have a mentor when you started burlesque?

“I was extremely fortunate to find the world of burlesque through Jo “Boobs” Weldon, who literally wrote the book on burlesque: “The Burlesque Handbook” (Harper-Collins). I took her “New York School of Burlesque” classes in 2006, and was instantly hooked. Jo offered advice, help in bookings and gave me my first opportunity to perform at New York’s famous Slipper Room, among other things, and has always been there for me when I have a business or ethical question about burlesque. I’m grateful to call her a true friend, and thankful that she’s in my life.”

Cast Photographs

Purrfessor

Minsky’s Rosebuds (below)

Nicky Ninedoors

August Wiled

Ruthe Ordare

Ava Lure

Voracious V

Miss Fitt

VanDolls

The evenings last production by the dazzling ladies of VanDolls – who will perform “Paint and Pasties” a transformational experience – taking famous works of art and recreating them for the world of burlesque.

“The VanDolls were formed after 7 of the members (Rufflesilkskin, Sweet Sashay, Scarlet Delirium, Sherry Hymen, Malvina MasVino and Kitty Kitty Bang Bang) took Screaming Chicken’s Becoming Burlesque course and graduated in November, 2010. We all discovered our love of burlesque together and didn’t want it to be over so we formed The VanDolls. About a year later, The VanDolls recruited What’s Her Name and within the past month, our head stage kitty Ruby Rapture became an official VanDoll.”

Do the VanDolls perform outside of Vancity?

“As a troupe, we have yet to perform outside of Vancouver and The Lower Mainland. The Vancouver International Burlesque Festival is really The VanDolls first introduction to the burlesque community on an international scale. We hope through VIBF, we can get our name out there and start performing in other cities and apply to other burlesque festivals.”

What should we expect from productions night at the Rio Theatre?

“You can expect traditional strip tease, drag burlesque, comedic burlesque etc. Because of this we are able to take the audience through a range of emotions from laughing to crying to gasping, which makes the show really fun because you don’t know what you’re going to experience next. Although our styles are different, the theme of paintings brings it all together for a tight production that makes sense on stage.”